The Belgian centre back has been either out of form or out of the team for approximately 18 months and yet he enters the final weeks of the transfer window with both Manchester United and Barcelona chasing his signature.

Few players are ever given such a glamorous choice. Staying on Arsenal's bench is unlikely to be at the top of his wish list.

Vermaelen was an instant hit at the Emirates Stadium when he arrived in 2009, partly for his forceful defending, partly for the rate at which he scored goals.

But a combination of uncertain form and the improved performances of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have seen him pushed to the fringes of the team.

He sits on the bench, week in and week out, waiting for someone to get injured.

Last season, he had to wait until December before he managed to string two league starts together.

It was late March before the 28-year-old made another.

WHY VERMAELEN?

With that in mind, United supporters might wonder why their club are working so hard to lure him away from London.

After all, Louis van Gaal has been promised an enormous transfer kitty, Ed Woodward is fighting to prove that he is capable of his role and the club, even without European football, still have the reputation to attract players from around the world.

Is Vermaelen really the best that they can get?

Perhaps. Vermaelen's biggest flaw at Arsenal was his habit of charging out of the backline to try and shut down moves before they developed.

It's a similar style of defending employed by Thiago Silva and David Luiz and the world saw just how well that worked for Brazil at the World Cup.

If Vermaelen were quick enough, the danger would be snuffed out.

If he weren't, he would be horribly out of position and his partner in the defence would be exposed.

But that won't be so much of an issue in a three-man defence.

If van Gaal works with Vermaelen's natural style and not against it, he could be quite the asset.

As long as two of Phil Jones, Jonny Evans or Chris Smalling are there to cover for those runs, there will be a safeguard against Vermaelen's ambition.

That opens up the other side of his game, the attacking side.

By pushing into the midfield to support the central pairing, United have the ability to outnumber their opponents.

And, as Arsenal fans will testify, if Vermaelen gets a sight of goal, he can be deadly.

ARSENAL PREFER BARCA

For all of his faults, Vermaelen is generally a dynamic and brave defender with pace and technique.

Van Gaal's three-man defence could be the best thing that's ever happened to him.

This could be the move that resurrects the Belgian's career and that's why Arsenal are fighting so hard to make sure it doesn't happen.

They would much rather sell him to Barcelona where he couldn't cause them any harm, at least until the first knockout round of the Champions League where they could meet.

It could be that Vermaelen would prefer a move to Spain, given that it would mean European football and the chance to play in front of one of the largest crowds in football.

With just a year left on his contract, Arsene Wenger faces a difficult choice.

He must decide if he wants an unhappy player hanging around before leaving for free next June, or if it's time to cash in at the risk of strengthening their direct rivals.

Vermaelen's choice is just as tough.

United? Or Barcelona?

If he gives it some thought, if he looks at the way in which he will be used, he should know that the Red Devils are the right move for him.